Beginning on July 1, 2010 all Minnesota State bonded projects, new and substantially renovated, that had not already started the Schematic Design Phase on August 1, 2009 are required to meet the Minnesota Sustainable Building 2030 (SB 2030) energy standards. The SB 2030 energy standard is incorporated into Minnesota Sustainable Building Guidelines (B3) that are also required for all state bonded projects. Minnesota Sustainable Building 2030 is a progressive energy conservation program to significantly reduce the energy and carbon in Minnesota commercial, institutional and industrial buildings. This initiative is being coordinated for the State of Minnesota Department of Commerce by the Center for Sustainable Building Research at the University of Minnesota. However, this program relies on the designer, building owner and utility communities in Minnesota for its execution and success. Except for state bonded buildings, this is a voluntary program. SB 2030 outlines specific performance targets (Energy Standards) for energy use in buildings until 2030. Every five years, the total carbon emissions from the operation of buildings are to be reduced so that in 2030 a 100% reduction net zero carbon is achieved.

Year

Steps in emissions reductions for new buildings for all state bonded projects compared to representative buildings in existence in 2003

2010

60% reduction in carbon producing fuel used for building energy

2015

70% reduction in carbon producing fuel used for building energy

2020

80% reduction in carbon producing fuel used for building energy

2025

90% reduction in carbon producing fuel used for building energy

2030

100% reduction in carbon producing fuel used for building energy

Other New City Buildings

The Duluth City Council supports the use of Leadership in Energy and Design (LEED) standards in planning, design, construction and commissioning of municipal facilities

The City will endeavor to construct all new or significantly renovated municipal facilities to a LEED silver level of quality

Effective with adoption of Resolution 13-01125R in March 2013, LEED silver performance standards will be part of the design and construction of new city buildings and major renovated facilities.